Notes: Bruce’s golden sombrero against the Mets on Tuesday night was his second of the season. On a night where the Reds pounded out 12 hits and six runs, Bruce was one of two starters not to record a hit. After Bruce hit a walk-off home run off Byrdak to clinch the N.L. Central last season, the left-handed reliever definitely got his revenge, as he fanned Bruce to end the game.

By now you are all probably aware of my history with the Indians’ recent call up Jason Kipnis. A former rival shortstop in high school, Kipnis is the first player who I extensively played with/against to receive the “top-prospect” tag and debut in the Major Leagues.

After two hitless games to begin his career, Kipnis stepped to the plate on Monday night with a chance to collect his first big league hit in walk-off fashion. Obviously you know the result; otherwise I doubt that I’d be writing this.

Notes: Like so many others, Crawford’s golden sombrero against the Royals on Monday night was made possible by extra innings. His final two strikeouts were extremely costly, as the one in the 11th inning came with two outs and runners on first and second, and the one if the 14th led off the Red Sox final at-bat.

Perhaps Verlander just felt the need to bring Kelly down to earth after the career .236 hitter (.628 OPS) was spotlighted by the New York Times as the only active major leaguer to have played innings at each defensive position around the diamond.

The hot foot has been in pranksters’ repertoires since at least the 1980s. The Mets blog Hot Foot credits former Miracle Mets Roger McDowell and Howard Johnson with originating the trick.

Here’s an explanation of their technique in this clip from “1986: A Year to Remember.”